People, property, and information are all protected by security guards. This course will offer an overview of the primary roles and obligations associated with these security standards. Many different sorts of clients and organizations require security guards. In Ontario, the security industry is governed by the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, which states that a Security Guard is someone that “performs work, for remuneration, that consists primarily of guarding or patrolling for the purpose of protecting persons or property” [Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005, c.34, s.2 (4)]. This Law clearly specifies that anybody undertaking such service must get and maintain a valid licence to function as a Security Guard.
The Security Services Industry employs a wide range of people, each with their own distinct role within the larger structure. Law enforcement officers generally enforce federal and provincial laws while also providing logistical help during emergencies. In recent years, there has been a movement from public to private law enforcement, as police services organizations deal with ever-increasing amounts of occurrences as populations grow. The Security Guard is now an essential part of the safety of Canadian residents.
Private Investigators, whose major goal is to gather information on the whereabouts and activities of certain individuals, and Loss Prevention Specialists, who aggressively discover and capture criminal culprits, are two of the most specialized roles in the Private Security business. Another example of the transition from public to private security is Mobile Patrol Services. These uniformed guards respond to alarms and patrol broad areas in vehicles, activities normally allocated to Law Enforcement officers, and offer a less expensive alternative to Police response, which may be extremely costly for the property owner.
An overview of Duties and Responsibilities
People, property, and information are all protected by security guards. The tasks and responsibilities of a guard vary greatly depending on the location. A Security Guard must grasp the importance of the role and the general obligations that a Security Guard may be requested to perform on a daily basis in order to carry out these obligations properly. Guards must be aware of industry changes and advancements, as well as the expectations and duties owed to the client, the public, and his or her employment.
As private policing plays an increasingly public role, the security business is one of the fastest expanding in North America. According to a recent Statistics Canada poll, security guards outnumber police officers in Canada today: In both 1991 and 1996, private security workers outnumbered police officers. In 1996, Canada had 59,090 police officers and 82,010 private security workers, including 12,230 private investigators and 69,780 security guards.
The incidence of criminal activities is not reducing. Police departments are being asked to accomplish more with less resources. The growing gap between police service and demand must be filled with something, and based on past experiences in the United States, it seems likely that private policing will do so.
Public and Private Security
The security industry is divided into two categories: public and private.
Public Security
Public security agencies are organizations that provide security but are solely sponsored by governments in the interest of public service. Municipal, provincial, and federal police units are among those represented. Each jurisdiction’s legislation establishes and authorizes these authorities, provides certain training, and establishes an impartial complaint processing procedure. Police are given broad powers that are widely acknowledged by the public, including:
- preserving the peace
- preventing crimes and other offences
- assisting victims of crime
- arresting or detaining criminals, or those suspected of criminal involvement
- drafting, and laying criminal charges
- investigating crimes
- seizing evidence
- testifying in court
- executing search and arrest warrants
Private Security
Private security differs significantly from public security in various respects. Private security is offered to clients for a charge and, except under exceptional circumstances, has jurisdiction confined to the client’s property. Rather than being a service offered in the public interest, security is provided to safeguard the client’s interests. Historically, Canadian legislation has acknowledged these distinctions and has not extended the same powers of custody, arrest, and search and seizure to security service providers as it has to police.
Individuals, partnerships, and businesses can use private security measures to safeguard their interests. In general, these measures involve the protection of property (such as the client’s products and the facilities and equipment used in their production), personnel (both those working on the site and members of the public who have access to it), and information about the products, property, facilities, process, and so on (industrial security is rapidly becoming one of the most important aspects of private security).
Private security agencies also function independently of the host company’s politics. Employees may believe they can trust an outside Security Guard, and as a result, they may be more cooperative during investigations than they would be if internal agents were deployed.
Furthermore, independent security firms may be able to establish knowledge that goes beyond the typical spectrum of experiences associated with in-house security operations. Depending on the nature of the host company’s security demands, it may be more advantageous to go to the specialists than than utilize in-house or generic contract workers.
The Role of a Security Guard
A Security Guard’s job is to safeguard people, property, and information. They are liable to a number of people:
To the employer
As a Security Guard, you are responsible to your employer for property security and protection. This entails:
- The obligation to make every effort to safeguard premises and property in an acceptable and effective manner from a number of natural and man-made hazards;
- Preventing, identifying, and correctly responding to the commission of illegal and quasi-criminal acts on or against the client’s property; and
- The duty to undertake these obligations in such a way that the customer has assurance that they are unlikely to lose business or be asked to pay a significant civil claim as a result of the security services provided.
To the public
Security is often tasked with safeguarding the public from loss or injury. This includes the following:
- A duty to cooperate with law enforcement and the justice system when needed, such as apprehending and detaining someone who has committed a criminal offence. Security may be able to support police efforts by conducting preliminary investigations or protecting crime scenes until the cops arrive. Security staff can also provide crucial information to the police
- People may seek to persons of authority for leadership and advice during an emergency. A Security Guard is likely to fall into this group due to his or her position
- Security guards can also provide information to emergency workers in times of disaster. For example, applying such knowledge appropriately by leading firemen to the simplest or best path to the scene of a fire or an industrial disaster that has happened on a work site faster than they could have located it otherwise. Alternatively, security may be able to alert emergency personnel to hazardous zones on the premises
- When criminal charges are filed as a result of information given to the police by a Security Guard, and the correct process were followed in making the arrest, the Security Guard will be expected to testify that the evidence was legally obtained, produce and/or identify the exhibits, identify the accused, and present testimony to the court in a professional manner
To Yourself
A Security Guard should know that he or she is a professional in a position of immense responsibility. Security is frequently in charge of safeguarding hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in property and equipment. As a result, when doing his or her responsibilities, the guard must be serious and accountable.
Observe, Deter, Record and Report
Although the function of a Security Guard may vary, one thing remains constant.
The primary role of a Security Guard is to “guard” individuals, property, and information. It is also worth noting that the days of a Security Guard “playing tough” as a bouncer and maintaining the peace on a construction site by force and intimidation are over. While certain circumstances may undoubtedly necessitate physical involvement, the bulk of jobs assigned require a Security Guard to just monitor, dissuade, document, and report. To regulate circumstances in which they are at risk of being assaulted, police officers may depend on the status of their position, their clothing, rigorous specialized training, and firearms. Most security guards do not receive these benefits, and it is considerably preferable for them to observe what is occurring on, take notes, and alert the police if required.
Deterring and Detecting Crime:
Most criminals will be deterred from doing anything unlawful on your property just by your presence. However, if someone attempts to conduct a crime, you must reply in accordance with the protocol specified by the client. Not every client wants people arrested or the police contacted. The customer and the security firm will select your answer. Understand what your Post Orders expect of you. If you do call the police, be prepared to provide them with useful information. This might help them catch the culprits or halt the crime in progress. You should take thorough notes in order to remember as many aspects of the crime as possible.
It is critical to have positive relationships with the police at all times. You create a security crew with your local police force. It is also essential that you know exactly what you are and are not permitted to do under the law. You will be accountable for a range of responsibilities as a Security Guard during your career. Your primary responsibility in all cases, however, is to observe, prevent, document, and report.
